Two cases of spotlights recently scanning the North Shore skies have given astronomer Paul Guttman more ammunition for his argument that nuisances such as lighting, noise and signage need greater attention.

As one of the Incline Village residents working on a nuisance ordinance for Washoe County, Guttman, director of Space Science for Schools, has focused on lighting in the community and what should - and should not - be allowed.

During the UC Davis and Space Science for Schools Star Party at Sand Harbor State Park July 14, a spotlight used by the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival ruined the amateur astronomers evening, Guttman said.

"We were at the Star Party and we had a beautiful dark sky," Guttman said. "Then four piercing light beams came from the parking lot."

The spotlights came from the Shakespeare Festival which takes place on evenings at Sand Harbor. Catherine Atack, director of the festival, said they were on for 15 minutes and the festival was unaware that it needed a permit.

"We were unaware that we needed a permit for such a piece of equipment, and after talking to Dr. Guttman and Mr. Stu Yount from the TRPA about this situation we would be delighted to have better and clearer access to this type of information in the future and apologize for any inconvenience the lights may have caused residents," Atack said.

Then, this week, the night skies of Incline Village were lit up by spotlights used by a boat show at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe.

Hyatt General Manager Mark Pardue said the Tracker Marine Boat Convention was careful to obtain several permits for its boat show, but did not know that it needed a permit for the searchlight.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency has received a complaint about the Shakespeare Festival searchlights, said Jeff Cowen, TRPA community relations director. However, the entity responsible for the spotlights is Nevada State Parks, which holds the special use permit for the festival. The permit states that lighting needs to be directed away from the lake and scenic corridor, Cowen said. The Bonanza could not reach a spokesperson from Nevada State Parks on Tuesday.

TRPA rules say that a special event permit must be obtained for spotlights and searchlights.

"A lot of problems come up because people don't understand," Cowen said. "Sometimes people aren't aware that we have regulations about things like lighting and signs, and other times people we think we prohibit things that we are allowed. When people are planning a special event or need to promote something, we always suggest they call us and get the details. It's painless."

He said there needs to be more public outreach and education about what is allowed.

Guttman agrees, but he also believes better enforcement is needed. Currently, TRPA has an online process to take complaints about these types of issues.

"If it turns out that it takes a citizen instead of an agency then the process is flawed," Guttman said.

Enforcement of "nuisances" is one of the issues Washoe County is considering in its new nuisance ordinance.

In Incline Village, when the TRPA and the county each have codes, the strictest rules are enforced. Guttman said his proposed lighting ordinance for Incline Village is stricter than the TRPA's code.

Bob Webb, a planner with the county's Community Development department, said the new ordinance will have an enforcement element, which is being created by a subcommittee.